Thrift shop: "I look incredible"
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| La (Found)erie's foxy mannequins |
In the windows of La (Found)erie, well-dressed as any hip boutique, I see the ruffled blouses, bomber jackets and power suits of former eras, displayed with verve.
I admire the thrifted ensemble more than the strenuously-styled designer outfit: twentysomething women in adjustée housedresses, heels and anklets; my French class colleague in a sweeping purple velvet coat with deep cuffs, and young bucks in flying scarves and Sansabelt trousers.
Both sons wear thrift assiduously picked by Etienne's sweetie, Tash.
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| A Taylor Swift look from La (Found)erie |
Thinking that finding these was a price-point matter, I checked the upscale consignment in a posh neighbourhood and was surprised how dated the jackets and dresses looked. You could not have given me anything.
Nowadays I don't so much shop vintage as drop by for the memories.
When you have more wrinkles than a '60s crinoline, the retro look holds less charm than it once did. In the '50s dresses I once trolled for, I'd now look as if I'd never bought anything, just kept my old clothes for a half-century, a hipper Miss Havisham.
Accessories can still deliver great value; belts are often single-digit bargains.
When a cat lolls in the window's sunspot, and Passion Pit are playing, I stop in, letting the nostalgia flow, carried back by spectator pumps. A girl who can twirl an '80s dirndl with aplomb (cat's-eye liner helps) gets admiring looks.
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| Spring specators |
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| Lamp and necklace, Arterie |
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's "Thrift Shop" is my current Favourite Nutty Song.
In a St. Laurent friperie, when someone started humming "I'm gonna pop some tags", three other browsers picked up the chorus.
I wear your granddad's clothes
I look incredible
I'm in this big ass coat
From that thrift shop down the road...
Comments
I have found decent, not out-of-style clothing at charity shops and church bazaars, but it is rue that there is a lot of démodé stuff there, even at churches and charities in upscale neighbourhoods, and some old things simply look cuter ... on young things.
I've had more luck with jewellery, scarves and other accessories. Don't forget the "Raspberry Béret" (Prince)...
It looks to me like your shops are much better at showcasing their stuff!
Your writing, your photos -- and that video! -- make this such a fun post today. Thank you!
I find tons of current stuff here--lots of nouveau riche (more accurately, upper-middle class) in the next town. Come on down.
lagatta: There are always cats in the window there. I think most old things look best on the young!
hostess: Many of the vintage stores here are indistinguishable from the coolest boutiques.
Gretchen: I think they are best for the young who can rock nearly anything.
materfamilias: That's exactly what I think. And as one of my native Montréaler friends says, "This is a city where people will put their entire paycheque on their backs."
frugal: I find it hard to believe another human could possible have your karma.
Love, love, love "Thrift Shop" - so funny! Love the messages Macklemore is presenting about consumerism and gay marriage.
I too, basically don't shop in thrift stores... I tend to just shop in sales and outlet centres to keep costs down.